Why You May Want Healthier Air at Home
- and How to Get It

While we worry about smog, worse pollution is closer to home. In fact it is in our homes.

As reporter Chandra Shikhar discovered, acmore than three decades after the Clean Air Act, the air outdoors is much cleaner, even with many more people, cars and industries a but indoor air is another matter.a

“It is an insidious kind of poisoning of our lives,” said former California state legislator, Fred Keeley who successfully fought for indoor air regulation.

acPollutants inside buildings vastly outnumber those outsidea, said Jed Waldman, who heads the Indoor Air Quality program at the California Department of Health Services.

Yet therea s good news. You can take a few, powerfully simple steps to make the air inside your home a the one place you can control a better than the air outside. Herea s to living healthier and longer with clean air at home.

Five Alarming Facts to Motivate You to Act

1. 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality.

2. Asthma is now the most common chronic disorder in childhood, affecting an estimated 6.2 million children in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association.

3. The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality as one of top five public health risks. Asthma, allergies, and other breathing difficulties, lung and heart disease, headaches and dizziness.

4. Americans spend nearly 90 of their time indoors.

5. Indoor air pollution can be two to fives times to sometimes 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution.

Who is Most Vulnerable to Dirty Air

Those most at risk to polluted air at home:

a Infants and young children.

a People with asthma, allergies or other respiratory illnesses or who have heart or lung problems a especially those who also lead stressful lives.

a Elderly, most of whom have reduced lung capacity.

a Smokers and those who live with them.

a People who work at home.

a Those in colder climates who tend to stay inside even longer.

a People in urban areas.

a Those living in energy-efficient or other well-built homes that seal air inside.

Even Tidy, Conscientious People Get Sick From Their Home
Even if you use non-toxic products, clean regularly, have a HEPA vacuum cleaner and do not smoke, nor have asbestos or damp surfaces or use a fireplace or a wood stove, you are still vulnerable to the tiniest dust particles in your home a the respiratory suspended particulates RSPs.
They become airborne from even slight actions such as walking on the carpet, sitting on a sofa or lifting a blanket. The particles are microbial air contaminants, ranging from bacteria and viruses to fungi and spores. They include pollens, spores, asbestos fibers, insect debris, food remnants, and pet dander.
What Makes RSPs So Dangerous to Your Healht
Size does matter. RSPs are so small that you can breathe them deep into your lungs. Multiple studies show they cause acute or chronic health effects.
They enter the blood or lymph tissue and cause a host of respiratory problems. Those who are allergic to respirable particles succumb to a range of health problems, from allergic rhinitis to bronchial asthma.
Radon and benzo-a-pyrene suspected carcinogenic agents are transported by RSPs into the lungs.
Gases or other substances may also be carried by RSPs into the lungs.
Respiratory illness, especially chronic illnesses like bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma may be linked to, or aggravated by, exposure to RSPs.
Lung damage may be small yet it is cumulative. That is especially devastating for young children as the effect of the damage increasingly reduces lung capacity as they age.
Recent research shows that respiratory problems from RSPs and other air pollutants can also lead to heart problems.
It Gets Worse
These pollutants affect you more if you are sensitive to them or the longer you are exposed to them a for example, the amount of time you spend at home. Health dangers range from itchy eyes to allergic reactions to more dangerous effects such as a damaged immune systems, reduced lung capacity, heart difficulties and cancer.
Slightly larger particles, such as pollen, dander and house-dust allergens, dont penetrate your lungs as deeply, but they can cause debilitating allergic responses.
Consider Testing the Air Quality in Your Home

Consider getting a whole home air test, conducted by a certified indoor air consultant. Also consider testing how efficiently your HVAC system is working. Most are at about 58 efficiency.

Some people simply buy a continuously high-performing, whole home air cleaning system for peace of mind. They want to feel secure that they are making the air healthy in the one place they can control a their home.

Now, herea s to helping you make the smartest choice in a home air cleaner.

Choose the Most Efficient Air Cleaner for Your Home

You can get a whole home air cleaner if you have a forced air system, meaning you have a furnace or furnace and air conditioner. Then you already have a basic mechanical filter. Thata s your first, crude level of defense against air pollution.

These mechanical filters are typically made of a coarsely woven metal. They can only remove large particles of dirt and hair. Even that capacity is greatly reduced when the filters are not replaced regularly. Worse yet, these mechanical filters cana t capture the tiny RSPs.
If you do not have a forced-air system or want to consider a portable, room-only device, herea s the basics you need to know.
Get a Portable Room-only Device or a Whole Home System
The next step is to choose between a portable room-only cleaner and a whole home cleaner. Unfortunately, some dona t have that choice. You cana t get a whole home system if you do not have a forced-air home furnace or air conditioning system.

In considering portable devices you have two kinds: ones with mechanical filters or ionizers.

Mechanical Filter-Based Portable Air Devices
The best kind of portable systems meet the HEPA high efficiency particulate air filters standard. That means they can capture 99.97 percent of the airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger that pass through the filter. These include tobacco smoke, household dust and pollen. Mechanical filters draw air through a flat, pleated or high efficiency particulate air HEPA surface to trap particles.

That design means HEPA filters can be efficient in the beginning yet tend to clog easily. Clogging reduces airflow and thus their ability, over time, to remove pollutants. Filters must be changed with some frequency to maintain HEPA-level efficiency. Not all if us remain that diligent, even if we intend to be.

acGary McEldowney, the marketing director for AllergyBuyersClub.com, said the cost of a purifier could range from 150 to 700, depending on size and features. Replacement HEPA filters cost 40 to 150.a Other models are much more expensive.
Another obvious disadvantage is that a single room cleaner cana t keep the rest of the air in your home clean. It cana t even maintain the high HEPA standard in the room in which it is used, unless it runs continuously and the door and windows to the room are kept closed a an unlikely possibility.

This room-only approach is akin putting a bandaid on a wound.

Portable Room Ionizers

Ionizers emit a small charge to the air stream that causes particles to adhere to the filter or other surfaces by a magnetic-like attraction. But this is not efficient as particles can become re-suspended.

Worse yet, ionizing emits ozone, a lung irritant that is also linked to other health problems. It can have damaging health effects, especially for those with asthma and other lung diseases, children and the elderly.

According to Consumer Reports and the EPA, acWhile some indoor air pollutant concentrations decline in the presence of ozone, other pollutants increase. In fact, upon reaction with ozone, some previously undetected, toxic chemicals emerge in indoor air, including formaldehyde and other aldehydes.a See the EPAa s article, “Ozone Generators Sold as Air Cleaners.”

To add insult to injury, the units make a zapping and other noise as they emit ozone. Also it requires time-consuming cleaning and frequent filter changes to maintain even a lower level of performance.

Your best option, if you cannot get a whole home air cleaner, is to get a portable, room-only device with a mechanical, HEPA-grade filter.
If your home has a forced-air system you can get a whole home system. Now youa ll see your options. The good news is that there are clear choices. You do not have to spend a lot of time nor money to get healthy air throughout your home.
How to Choose the Most Efficient Whole Home Air Cleaner

Whole home air cleaners can be placed in the ductwork of forced-air systems heating or air-conditioning also known as in-duct air cleaners.

acIf you are using forced air for, the best way to clean the air in your house is to add a filtration module to your system,a said Alex Wilson, president of BuildingGreen in Brattleboro, Vermont. As youa ll read further down, however, you may not have to mess with the ducts, with a hybrid system. It can be retrofitted, that is bolted right onto your existing unit.

Here are the kinds of whole home air cleaners from which you can choose:

Electrostatic Precipitators ESPS

All electrostatic precipitators use electricity to charge particles passing through them and then attract them electrically make them acsticka to either plates or a filter.

As you compare systems consider these five key factors:

1. Performance over time: Efficiency goes down over time in some systems.

2. Maintenance: It is key to continuously high performance. Some systems are considerably more complex, messy and time-consuming - as are some filters. Even a diligent person can get tired of the upkeep and avoid doing it. Some systems require more frequent filter changes than others.

3. Ease and cost of installation.

4. Sound: Some systems create noise while others are quiet.

5. Ozone emission: Some cleaners emit ozone, the pollutant in smog. Ozone can cause lung damage and other health problems. It also creates noise as it arcs, sparks and pops.

Following are the categories of air cleaner systems, described in the order of increasing levels of air cleaning performance, maintenance needs and convenience.

1. Electrostatic Filters
This is the least expensive kind of filtering system, removing 90 of particles that are 0.3 microns or less. It requires frequent filter change and, more importantly, performance goes down over time. One example is the Filtrete. Electrostatic units filter the air using static electricity. They have a static charge on the filter to allow airborne particles to “stick” to the filter, just like static-charged clothing sticks together.
The drawbacks to these units are that they capture fewer RSPa s and the filter needs to be replaced frequently
2. Conventional Electronic Air Cleaners

EACs charge particles and cause them to stick to plates inside the unit or to a filter. In this way they trap and filter up to 98 of pollutants from the air passing through your heating and cooling system. This kind of air cleaner can capture microscopic impurities like dust, smoke and smog particles in addition to larger particles like mold spores and cat dander.

Collected pollutants are removed by cleaning the plates in the sink or dishwasher. Some EACa s use grounded filters instead of plates but these require expensive replacements.

3. Hybrid Electronic Air Cleaner

A hybrid electronic air cleaner eliminates the need for wires or pins and plates. Instead it uses a non-metallic material to conduct the electricity and charge the RSPa s. Thus you can avoid the messy and time-consuming cleaning that comes with metal-based EAC technology.

Then, it uses an inexpensive, recyclable but highly-efficient, loosely woven filter to capture the particles. This loose weave enables the unit to operate with low static pressure. Filters replacements are easier than with conventional EACs.

Once to twice a year, depending on amount of air pollution filters are changed.

As a consequence of these innovations, consumers get the upside of a conventional EAC high efficiency without the downsides higher maintenance, costlier and more invasive installation, ozone emission in some, etc..

Plus, since this hybrid operates in a way that reduces system wear and tear and is easier to maintain, the initial high-performance is continuous. It does now go down over time.

One final thought. Winter is coming. Days are getting colder and shorter. You may be spending more time inside. Consider installing an air cleaner soon. Healthier air is the priceless gift for yourself and those who share the holidays with you at home.

About the Author

Emmy-winning former Wall Street Journal and NBC reporter, Kare Anderson is the author of SmartPartnering, Resolving Conflict Sooner, Getting What You Want, Walk Your Talk, Beauty Inside Out and LikeAbility and publisher of the blog+podcast, Moving From Me to We and the blog+newsletter, Say it Better, collectively serving over 42,000 subscribers in 26 countries.

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Reactions to animal allergens may be very mild or quite severe. Symptoms may occur immediately after exposure to the allergen, or they may build gradually for 8-12 hours after exposure or become persistent.

The usual symptoms of indoor allergic reactions are those of many other allergic reactions include itchy, stuffy nose, clear nasal discharge, itchy, watery, swollen, bloodshot eyes, sneezing, scratchy, swollen throat, cough, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.

If the symptoms of the allergic reaction worsen or do not improve with removal of the allergen, call a physician. If you are having persistent nasal, eye, or chest symptoms, see your doctor. If your respiratory problems are severe e.g., shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, go to the emergency department or seek care from your physician as soon as possible.

Generally, your physician will be able to identify the problem by examining you and asking questions. Treatment can begin without further evaluation or testing.

Tests and x-ray films are not required except under unusual circumstances. If you dont respond well to treatment or if there is any doubt about what is causing the reaction, an allergy specialist allergist can use skin tests that may identify the allergen. Many people find this worthwhile before going through elaborate procedures to remove allergens from their home or making the painful decision to get rid of a pet.

An allergic sensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign “invader,” a substance that is not native to your body. Exposure to this invader, an allergen, triggers the reaction.

When the allergen particles come to rest in the linings of the eyes, nose, or airway of a susceptible person, an allergic reaction can occur. Most people with asthma or hay fever or other outdoor allergies think of their home as a haven where they can escape their allergies. Unfortunately, houses and apartment buildings harbor their own allergens agents that cause allergy symptoms. The inside of your home actually traps allergens, making them impossible to avoid.

Unlike seasonal allergies such as hay fever, indoor allergies may last all year long. Indoor allergens may provoke or worsen asthma symptoms, depending on a persons unique sensitivities. Sensitivity to indoor allergens is very common and occurs at every age. It is less common in children younger than 5 years. People most likely to experience allergic rhinitis are those in early school and early adult years.

The single best thing you can do to stop the reaction is to reduce your exposure to the allergens. If it is animal dander causing your allergic reaction, you do have options.

Keeping the animal outdoors all the time is a partial solution, but your home will still have greater amounts of dander than if the animal is removed altogether. You may want to see an allergist to confirm that your pet is the cause of the symptoms before making the painful decision to get rid of a pet. If you decide to remove the animal, it may take as long as 6 months or longer for the allergy symptoms to go away completely.

Before getting a pet, spend indoor and outdoor time with other animals of the same species to make sure all family members can tolerate the dander. Remember that allergies tend to run in families. If you are allergic to animal dander, your children may be too. Also, even people who do not have problems initially may develop them later. It is practically impossible to remove all house dust with all its allergens from your home.

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An allergic sensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign invader, a substance that is not native to your body. Exposure to this invader, an allergen, triggers the reaction.

When the allergen particles come to rest in the linings of the eyes, nose, or airway of a susceptible person, an allergic reaction can occur. When the immune system has been previously sensitized to a specific invader, it overreacts to the invader; this overreaction to a harmless substance is known as a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.

This reaction sets in motion a series of responses that culminates in release of chemicals called mediators. Histamine is an example of a mediator. It is the effects of the mediators on cells and tissues that cause allergic symptoms. Dust mites are common indoor allergens. They can be found in most homes, usually in beds and bedding, upholstered furniture, or any cloth material.

Often, when people believe they are sensitive to dust, they are actually sensitive to the dust mites and their waste particles and fragments of dust mites that have died that can be found in household dust. For some people, pets trigger allergic reactions. They simply cannot be around animals such as dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, and other fur-bearing animals without developing uncomfortable symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and asthma.

Contrary to what many people believe, an allergic reaction to an animal is not caused by the animals hair. An allergic reaction is actually caused by substances in the animals saliva, urine, and especially dander. Dander is dead skin flakes like dandruff that become loosened from the animals skin.

The allergens become crusted on the animals hair or skin from urination or the animal licking or scratching itself; once dry, the allergens are released into the air, where they join the other components of house dust. Many different small animals that are popular as house pets trigger allergic reactions. Animals such as cats and dogs are most likely to cause allergic reactions.

Birds may also cause reactions, although less often than other animals. Animals such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians rarely cause allergic reactions. An allergic reaction may be triggered by any of the following directly touching the animal, being in an indoor area with the animal, being in an indoor area with furniture, carpets, bedding, drapes, clothing, animal beds or cages, even countertops and walls on which animal allergen has landed.

Also, being in an indoor area with another person whose clothes carry the allergen, cleaning animal beds, cages, or litter boxes and touching toys, bedding, towels, or other items that the animal has touched.

Molds are a type of fungus that has no stems, leaves, or roots. Molds generally live outdoors but can normally be found in almost any indoor environment. They can trigger hay fever and asthma symptoms and reproduce by releasing spores into the air, which float around until they find a hospitable environment. They easily pass through open doors and windows and settle indoors, especially where there is excess heat and humidity. They grow and produce mildew. Many of us have seen mildew growing in a shower.

Mold is not always visible, however; it can grow in unseen areas of the house, such as under flooring materials and behind walls. To grow, mold requires water; this can be either liquid water, as from a leaky pipe or roof or a puddle, or condensation on windows. It also requires something to grow on, and mold is not picky, although it is most likely to grow on wood, sheet rock, or fabric.

As it grows, mold releases more spores, many of which become part of house dust. While molds can trigger allergic symptoms, like any other allergen, they rarely cause serious health problems, except in people who are seriously immunocompromised or on chemotherapy.

Most of us dont want to think about insects in our home, especially cockroaches, but they are a fact of life. If you live in a crowded urban area, an older multifamily dwelling, or a warm climate such as the southern part of the United States, you almost surely have cockroaches living in your home, even if you dont see them. Cockroaches like moist places where food is available.

Although the kitchen is their favorite room, they can be found just about anywhere in the house. When they die, usually not in plain sight, their bodies become dried and break apart. These body pieces, as well as their dried waste, become part of house dust.

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Attending day care from early infancy may help protect high-risk children from developing asthma, new research suggests.

Regular day care attendance by 3 months of age was linked to lower levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the University of Arizona study, but the association was seen only among children whose mothers had asthma or had positive skin tests for allergies.

IgE antibodies trigger the inflammatory responses that cause allergies and related asthma.

Researchers found that the IgE levels of children who started day care in early infancy remained low for at least the first three years of life.

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Introduction
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways that causes episodes of reversible airway constriction and sensitivity that make breathing difficult and can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest.

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